 when do you shift?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 131 |
Hey folks,
I'm a new owner with no tacho. Can I get a sense from some of you with tachs and no real performance mods on your America's what your gear ranges are?
Thanks.
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 Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 322
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 322 |
1. Start in first gear... 2. Go faster 3. Go fastest... Ok, that's only 3 gears...<BG> Just rev it to where you feel comfortable and shift. Too soon will fell like it's bogging down, and too high will get you very nervous right before it blows up.  ( so somewhere in between.... Just ride it like you stole it.... When I picked up my new 06 SM, I asked the salesguy how to break it in... He said to ride it the same way you intend to ride...Not to baby it. If you wait too long to shift, the engine just runs out of revs. Do the AIS removal.... helps. Mary
Krashdagon aka Snappy
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555 |
seems i'm in the same boat as you learning the bike.Tell ya it depends on my mood when i shift. couple times i've wound it out to 50 in second gear other times im in 3rd at 40.
today on way home from work i was doing 65 up a long hill in 4th didnt go to 5 till i slowed down to 55 at the top.
am i f***** up?
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
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Our bikes have a fairly flat torque curve from around 2500 rpm all the way to redline, so shift whenever you feel like it. Or downshift whenever you feel it.  If you're looking for horsepower, it's above 5,000 rpm so rev the snot out of it for acceleration. But seriously, where to shift is more of a matter of your riding style so there's no pat answer. When I'm just going for a leisurely cruise with my wife, I shift a lot sooner and just lope along. When I'm riding solo and hitting the twisties hard on the mountain, I run it up. So just shift according to your wants and needs. These bikes are bulletproof, and as long as you're not lugging the motor the bike will take whatever you give it. I've been riding mine this way for 44,000 miles.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177 |
Don’t know about 1st 2nd usually just the sound of the engine unless like others said want to wind her out. Sometimes up to 70++ in third. One general rule I never go into 5th lower than 55 and sometimes stay in 3rd or 4 th up a steep grade. Its a lot more fun in 2nd and give it hell. There is a steep hill on Rt 4 west of Mohawk Mt heading east after a 90 deg right turn I love to keep her in 2nd and scream up the hill at 60++.I just get a little nervous getting into Goshen (lots of staties) but its a great ride.to Goshen (lots of staties) but its a great ride. To me there is nothing like the sound of motor at about 6000 rpm. Its the sweetest sound in the world.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Twist it till it stutters, that's the rev limmiter. Adjust as needed to avoid it.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 691
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 691 |
Accellerate rather swiftly through the lower gears. Its fun. About 30MPH in first, 50MPH in second. The bikes (at least mine) have a rev limiter so you can't over-rev the motor. Try to find what speed yours hits the limit (depends on the chain sprockets on your bike). Then just shift before you hit the limit. I usually don't get anywhere near the limit on the higher gears.
--Tom
02 TBA; 130 mains; TBS; Nology Coils&Wires;Unifilter/opened Airbox; -AI/snorkels; -2 baffles;Progressive 440s & Springs
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Mar 2006
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Nope. These bikes like to run. I was very conservative about revving my bike for the first three months or so of ownership. Then following a rule of thumb often quoted on this August forum. "ride it like ya stole it" works very well. Now to me that simply means that the best power band on these bikes is from 3500 to 4000 RPM as a good working range in fourth and fifth gears. The bike is not altogether happy when lugged down below 3K in any event in my estimation relative to speed and gear selection.
I still have not exceeded 6K RPM on mine I dont believe. I have gotten nowhere near the rev limiter.
But the bike starts to become nicely happy at around 3500 RPM and will just pull strongly from there out upwards towards that limiter I have yet to approach.
There are those on this forum who like to hit and indeed hit the rev limiter often and with regularity.
The bikes seem none the worse for wear in any case.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
If you're used to the HD style of engine you'll probably be shifting too early. HD's develop a lot more torque at low revs and have low(ish) redlines, whereas ours are designed to spin a lot faster but don't start working till about 2500rpm. With a 17 tooth front sprocket 2500rpm about 30-35mph in top gear. You can't go too high with the engines, the electronics will stop you killing it.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 131
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 131 |
Wow. I need a tacho. I'm definately short shifting. I am used to the Harley sound, and I'm in 3rd by 35 mph.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
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I did the same when first got TBA. After I got the Tach realized how low in rpm I was shifting. Now I realize when I go high with the revs I'm not beating on the motor. I beginning to use it to full potential. RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT. OR BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF HER, LET HER WIND TILL YOU CANT HOLD ON TO THE HANDEL BAR. I love to get on the highway with no traffic approaching. I just wind the hell out of it. 50 in 2nd is nothing.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Re: when do you shift?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
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I have an America so it came without a tach. I put one on this summer but it doesn't change the rev limiter. I hit 42mph in first, 62 in second and 82 in third. I hit a little over 100 in fourth with a windshield and a headwind and fifth runs out of oumph before 110mph. So unless I get a really great tailwind I may never see it. 17 tooth front and 42 rear.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
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Do get the tach though...
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I hardly ever watch my tach. I shift by feel. You'll know when you feel comfortable.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
I also came from an HD.....was having the same issue as CTnewbie....no tach, geetting used to my engine sounds, was short shifting....amazed to discover that I don't need to hit 2nd till about 35!! Have been experimenting... Going longer in the gears is really showing me what this bike can do. Love it.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Yeah.. Normal driving,I get out of 1st at 20-25, 2d at 25-35, 3d 35-45, 4th 45-55, 5th 50-60. Or like everyone said wind it out like a buzz saw and shift when the rev limiter says to. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Wow. I need a tacho. I'm definately short shifting. I'm in 3rd by 35 mph.
You and me both. These things have rev limiters,  I never knew that. I tend to spend most of my time in 4th and 5th and just cruise around. I have yet to go above 80 on this bike. I find it so enjoyable to just sit back and relax.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
35 in 3rd works thats not bad. I ran mine for a few months without a tach and was way low on my rpms. Right around 3k. In a 35 zone I would be in 3rd. Gentle cruising rule of thumb with your gears would be 4th at 40, meaning don't even consider 4th til you hit 40. 5th at 50 if sustained crusing at 50 won't hurt the bike but you again will be at about 3000 rpms.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
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Quote:
I have yet to go above 80 on this bike. I find it so enjoyable to just sit back and relax.
WHAT!!!! Ok so I'm not in the best position to comment... but never gone above 80..... 
Hell I cruise on the motorways at 85.... well used to. Will again too.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I can hit 70 easy in second gear.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
but never gone above 80...Hell I cruise on the motorways at 85.... well used to.
I sold my TL100S for the sole purpose of slowing down. I got enough speed thrills on that thing to last a lifetime. Now im strictly a slow down and smell the roses rider.
As an example, last week i rode over the Cherohala Skyway, (wont mean anything to people outside the Southeast US area) This road is about 50 miles long and go across the top of the Appalachian Mountains and climbs up to about 6000 feet. I have been over this road a dozen times, but this was the first time on the Triumph. WOW, what a place, what brilliant views. Before i had always gone over on the TL and spent the entire ride consentrating on attacking the next corner. Slowed down this time and boy was it worth it. What a great ride.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 879
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 879 |
I sold my TDM to be lower and slower. People used to tell me that the gear shift was 'clunky'.
I expected the BA to be better, but N to 1st is an almighty 'clunk' - about the same as the TDM, as are most other shifts. Is it me or is it normal ????
If you do it today you MIGHT regret it. If you CAN'T do it tomorrow you WILL regret it.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
I can hit 70 easy in second gear.
You must have the 18 or 19 tooth front sprocket. I hit the rev limiter at about 63 mph in 2nd.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734 |
Quote:
last week i rode over the Cherohala Skyway, (wont mean anything to people outside the Southeast US area)
Come now Mark, we've heard about the Cherhola Skyway everytime there's a Georgia Rally, and when Chy and company go out for a spin. I've probably heard about that road a bazillion bloody times on this forum in the last 3 years(yeah, I'm just bitter because I haven't gotten to ride it yet).
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 188
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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When your gonads start to tingle, you're at 5000 rpm
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 850
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 850 |
at the redline?? when it cuts out...
cat
George in Easy Rider: "Oh, oh I've got a helmet! I got a beauty!"
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
It all depends on the situation. On level streets I'm often in 5th gear by 40 MPH. Accelerating into traffic, I shift to 2nd at about 40 because the speedometer reads 47 when it hits the rev limit and I don't want anyone to think the engine really runs that badly.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Quote:
Quote:
I can hit 70 easy in second gear.
You must have the 18 or 19 tooth front sprocket. I hit the rev limiter at about 63 mph in 2nd.
18...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
I sold my TDM to be lower and slower. People used to tell me that the gear shift was 'clunky'.
I expected the BA to be better, but N to 1st is an almighty 'clunk' - about the same as the TDM, as are most other shifts. Is it me or is it normal ????
The first shift after the bike sat for over 1/2 hour or so is much quieter if you pull in the clutch and rock the bike forward and back until the clutch breaks loose. Wet clutches tend to stick when they sit for a while.
Also, make sure the idle speed is not too fast and the clutch is properly adjusted.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10 |
I wound mine out today and hit 110kms per hour in second when the rev limiter came in.
dave
2003 Speedmaster
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025 |
Where did that rpm/gear/speed graph go? I remember it somewhere around here. That may help.
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Quote:
I wound mine out today and hit 110kms per hour in second when the rev limiter came in.
dave
I am such a girrrrrrrrrrrl! LOL.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: when do you shift?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555 |
I like the clunk.....lets me know i'm in gear...which i tend to miss from time to time.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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